§ 50. Mr. S. Silvermanasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Kikuyu tribesman recently sentenced to death for receiving six pieces of cloth intended for Mau Mau has been hanged.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNo, Sir.
§ Mr. SilvermanHas it occurred to the right hon. Gentleman that, in circumstances in which 20 per cent. of the native population is, in one form or another, under continuous detention, and where the death penalty is inflicted for almost trivial offences, it is not likely that the British way of life would commend itself to the native population; and, in these circumstances, does he not agree that his whole policy may perhaps be mistaken?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThat seems to me to be clearly outside the scope of this particular Question, and I should hesitate to comment on this Question because, as I think the hon. Gentleman knows, the reasoned judgments have not yet been delivered on these particular sentences, and I think it is better to wait until the reasoned judgments have been received.